Launching or landing apparatus



Aug. 26, 1930. R. s. HAIGHT LAUNCHING OR LANDING APPARATUS Filed July31, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l /)v VENTOR R9 w 3. M

A TTORN-E Y5.

Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES ROBERT B. HAIGHT, OF WES'J. ISLIP,NEW YORK tnuncnrne on LANDING- APPARATUS Application filed July 31,

. This invention is a novel launching or landing apparatus, comprisingparticularly the main element or float and one or more ramps extendingfrom submerged points at an upward incline to the landing surface ordeck of the float, to facilitate the launching or landing ofhydroaeroplanes or other vessels. A general object of the presentinvention is to afford such an apparatus, for seaplanes or L her landingand launching purposes, of improved eiflciency and convenience, and onewhich can be constructed at moderate cost and will be durable andrequire minimum maintenance. A particular object is to so combine themain float or vessel and-the ramp or ramps that the latter will bemaintained in a predetermined inclined position without substantialchange therefrom under the influence of water surging or currents ondueto the weight of the aircraft or other object to be landed. Other andfurther objects and advantages of the invention will be made to appearin thehereinafter following description of an illustrative embodimentthereof or will be understood to those conversant with the subject.

To the attainment of such objects and advantages the present inventionconsists in the novel launching or landing apparatus, and

the novel features of construction, combination, arrangement and detailherein illustrated or described.

The invention may be generally described as a combination including amain float with its landing surface or deck above water, and one ormoreconnected ramps, preferably oppositely positioned, each extendingfrom a submerged point at an upward incline to the landing surface,where it may .be swingingly connected, each ramp having one or morecaptive buoyancy chambers mountedadjacent or below the outer portionofthe ramp and submerged to such an extent that the ramp is continuouslysubjected to a strong lifting pressure, preferably suflicient to supportthe seaplane or vessel to he landed, and means applying a downward forceor resistance to the ramp whereby-its outer portion and the buoyancychamber are maintained in'their position of forced submergence, thismeans 1929. Serial No. 382,475.

preferably'consisting of submerged stays or tension members extendingfrom a submerged part of the ramp to a submerged part of the main floatso as to exert a continuous lowering pull resisting the lifting force.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is what may be considered asideelevation of a launching and landing apparatus embodying thepresent-invention.

Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale, shows one end of the apparatus in morecomplete detail, in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a detail viewof a modified arrangement of stay or tensionmember adapted to use in the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view, showing one side of the main floatand one side of 'the' ramp extending therefrom.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation view ofthe apparatus seen in Fig. 4. a

The drawings indicate the water line at W and the float or vessel 10,which may be free floating, but is preferably moored or anchored in'adesirable location in adequate depth of water. For example, the floatmay be moored in tide water adjacent to awharf,with a gangplank, notshown, for access. For use as a seaplane landing the float 10 my be inthe nature of a barge, for example 250 feet in length, 33 feet beam, and9.5 feet dee and its deck 11 may be smoothly. planked or the receptionof seaplanes or other vessels or ob jects to he landed or launched. Thefloat contains water ballast 'w.

The ramps 12 are shown as inclined from a submerged point up to thelanding deck of the float. Two such ramps are indicated} one at eachside of the .float, preferably near one end thereof, leaving thebalance'of the deck clear for other purposes. By having the rampssubstantially opposite, any mechanical reactions thereofaresubstantially balanced, and the arrangement facilitates the-landingof the seaplane from one side and its prompt launching at the oppositeside.

The structure and details of the ramps maybe indefinitely varied. Eachisshownashaving a running surface or top planking 13 resting onlongitudinal beams or stringers 14,w1th similarstringers 15 spaced thefloat, but are capable of swinging, each ramp being attached at oneouter edge of the float by means ofa pivot 18, which may consist ofarounded timber 18 attached along the float and engaged at intervals bychain slings, each passing doubled around the timber, with its outerends engaging chocks on the ramp frame, and tightened by turnbuckle, theramp having a concave timber 19 thus held movably to the rounder timberon the float. A covering plate 20 is shown brid ing across the pivotfrom the ramp to the float.

This pivoted or non-rigid connection between ramp and float not merelyafl'ords yield or play due'to water movements, but readily permits theramp to be unshipped for removal, repair orreplacement or to permit thefloat to be towed or placed in dry dock. While the main ramp 12 is shownat a substantially straight slant from its submerged point to thelanding surface of the float it is preferred to have a substantiallyhorizontal submerged extension ramp 21 attached to the extremity of themain ramp. It is shown slightly narrower than the main ramp, and ofshort length and secured in position by diagonal braces or struts 22.

As already indicated the outer end of each ramp is intended to be heldsubmerged to a predetermined extent or with the ramp at a predeterminedrising slant from the sea to the landing deck. The means will next bedescribed by which each ramp is prevented from riding up to float at thesurface, like a pontoon, or from sinking under the weight of the loadintended to pass along the ramp.

Each ramp is continuously subjected to a strong lifting pressure by.m'eans of captive buoyancy chambers 23 shown in the form of steel airtanks or drums, two in number for each ramp, each of which may be 4 feetdiameter by 15 feet long. By captive buoyancy is meant that the tankscan not float free, as with a pontoon, but are held down to such depthof submergence that equilibrium is overcome and upward pressureprevails. Each chamber or tank is mounted and secured within theframework of the ramp adjacent to its outer portion so that it ispreferably completely submerged. Thetank thus does not extend above therunning surface of the forced submergence by the means next described.

A system of submerged stays or tension members 24 is shown, arranged asa tie means extending from the submerged part of the ramp to a submergedpart of the float, for the purpose of resisting the buoyancy of the airchambers and affording continuous forced submergence of the outerportions of the ramp. These stays or ties 24 are preferably in the formof iron chains, and four of them are shown for each ramp, extending fromthe outer ends of the stringers 14 to the lower submerged edge of thefloat. At the float end each chain is shown as secured by means of asteel strap 25 attached tothebottom ofthe float and terminating in ashackle 26 to which the chain is connected. At its outer end each chainis similarly connected by a shackle 27 to a turnbuckle or other take-updevice 28 by which the tautness or tension can be adjusted.

An important feature of the resent invention is that the stay members 4aresuch as to admit an appreciable cushioning or buffer action so as toprevent shock from abrupt relative movements of the float or ramp.

This result is secured in the case of the chain.

due to its substantial weight and its tendency to hang ina catenarycurve, as best seen in Fig.2, so that there is always leeway for furtherdrawing up of the chain, its resistance or pullincreasi'ng progressivelywith its yield. In lieu of this arrangement any cushioning substitutemay be employed. For example if light cables 24 are employed for stays,as shown in Fig. 3, spring bufl'er devices 24 may be used to admit thedesired yield.

In addition to the have diagonal members as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5.Thus diagonal chains 29 are indicated, one at each side of each ramp,connected to float and ramp similarly to chains 24. These chains exertpull or resistance tending to minimize horizontal swing of the ramp andconsequent wear and tear. In ad- 'dition to the submerged diagonalchains 29 may be guys 30 extending diagonally from the outer corners ofthe ramp to suitable attachments 31 on the deck of the float. Thesediagonal wire ropes further stiffen the ramps against side swing.

In the case of the stay chains 24, which hold down the ramp, withpossibility of cushioning yield, it is preferable to avoid undue sag ingof the chains from their own weight, an consequent depression of theramp, es-

stays 24 it is desirable to pecially when the ramp is additionallyloaded with a seaplane. For this purpose a system of light suspensionmembers 32 is indicated connecting each chain 24, at points along itslength, with the frame of the ramp, so as to hold the chain in positionwith a moderate sag as indicated in Fig. 2. By this arrangement eachchain is permitted to yield upwardly as described for cushioningpurposes, but is prevented from sagging unduly.

The operation has been indicated. Each ramp will retain a substantiallyuniform incline and submergence notwithstanding changes of load or tidalmovements. It is always available for launching or landing. It is proofagainst breakage from ordinary conditions. Any rolling of the float orhull that might occur would be unable to snap the submerged chains, onaccount of their give, and the open or slat construction of the runningsurface of the ram There has thus been described a launching or landingapparatus embodying the principles and attaining the objects of thepresent invention. Since many matters of construction, combination,arrangement and detail may be variously modified without departing fromthe principles hereof it is not intended to limit the invention to suchmatters except to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with alanding surface above water and one or more connected ramps eachextending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landingsurface of the main float, the combination, with each ramp, of one ormore captive buoyancy chambers mounted adjacent the outer portion of theramp and submerged to such extent that the ramp is continuouslysubjected to a strong lifting pressure, and one or more submerged staymembers extending from a submerged part of the ramp to a submerged partof the main float, whereby the outer portion of the ramp and thebuoyancy chambers are maintained in their submerged position.

2. The combination as in claim 1 and wherein the stay members areflexible chains or cables hanging in catenaries and afford ing bufleraction.

3. The combination as in claimland wherein the stay members are flexiblechains or cables of metal with means suspending them at intermediatepoints to prevent excessive sag.

4. The combination as in claim 1 and wherein the stay members arearranged to be cushioned'against breakage from abrupt pull.

5. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with alanding deck above water and opposite ramps each extending from asubmerged point at an upward incline to the landing deck and thereswingingly connected, the combination with said opposite ramps, of acaptive buoyancy chamber mounted below the outer portion of each ramp 1nposition so fully submerged that the ramp is continuously subjected to alifting f6rce suflicient to support the object to be landed, andsubmerged tension members extending from a submerged part of each rampto a submerged part of the main float, sub'ecting the ramp to acontinuous lowering pull resisting such lifting force, whereby the outerportions of the ramps and the buoyancy chambers are maintained in theirpredetermined submerged posit-ions, under the opposing influences ofsaid lifting and lowering forces.

6. In a launching or landing apparatus having a main float with alanding surface above water and one or more connected ramps eachextending from a submerged point at an upward incline to the landingsurface of the main float, the combination, with each ramp, of one ormore captive buoyancy chambers mounted adjacent the outer portion of theramp and-submerged to such extent the ramp is continuously subjected toa strong lifting pressure, and means applying a downward force upon theramp, whereby the outer portions of the ramp and the buoyancy chambersare maintained in their submerged positi on.

7. In combination a float having a landing deck above water, and one ormore ramps each extending slantingly from a submerged point to thelanding deck, one or more air tanks mounted adjacent the outer portionof each ramp, and stay means holding downwardly each ramp, whereby itsouter portion and the air tanks are maintained in forced s'ubmergence.

8. In a landing for seaplanes or other vessels, a float, a ramp flexiblyconnected to the float, submerged means tying the outer end of the rampto the float to hold the ramp at a slant with its outer end submerged,and a buoyance chamber submerged below the outer part of the ramp.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signed by: 1

ROBERT S. HAIGHT.

